Aeroplane.



J. SMITH.

AEROPLANE. APPLI OATION FILED DEC. 4, 191]. RENEWED 001226, 1912. 1,047,581.

Patented Dec. 17, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wuuwwa LI/HMES SMITH mwml. NNN MNN J. SMITH.

AEBOPLANE. APPLIOATIOK FILED 1030.4, 191]. RENEWED OCT. 26, 1912.

1,047,581 Patented Dec. 17,1912.

4 sinus-sum a.

, JIqMES 5M1 TH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'AHES SMITH, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

AEBOPLAN E.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed December 4, 1911, Serial No. 663,888. Renewed October 26, 1912. Serial No. 727,989.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I; JAMES SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fiyingmachines' and the object of the same is to provide the.

machine with an improved type of steering and propelling means, andalso to providea novel type of frame for the machine. I

This invention is illustratedQin the accompanying draw'in wherei n Figure 1 isa si e elevation ofthemachine. 2 is-a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a longitu in the line X-X in Fig. 2. Fig. '5" is. a-top plan view of the frame for the; machine. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section, throughthe frame with the body portion-removed. 'Fig.

' 7 is an enlarged view of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is atop plan view .of the mechanism .shown in Fig; 7. Fig. 9 is an end elevationof the operating mechanism in end elevation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

.it will be seen that thiainventipn-com RISES a frame which is formed from lengt s of piping formed from some light material, such as aluminum. The frame comprises the lower bars 10 and 11, which have upwardly inclined forward portions 12 and plings 21 Wlth the upwardly inclined ends 13 of the lower bars bynieans of the coupling 22. A bracing bar 23- extends across' the' frame so that the frame will be prevented from buckling. A transversely extending bracing bar 24 connects the barsg17 and 18 intermediate theirilength, and the bracing .bars connect the bars 10 and 11 with the angularly extending'ends 19 to the bars 17 that the frame will be better '26 are connected with the bars 17 and have al section through the of the machine. Fig. 4 is a view insection on.

practically. It should be noted that the bracing bars 25 are rearwardl inclined so raced. Bars their lower ends connected by the curved transversely extending bars 27 and the longitudinally extending bars 28 the bars being connectedby the coupling 29. Shorter bars 30 are connected with the couplings 29 and with-the bars 10 and 11 by means of the couplings 31, the-couplings 31 carrying the axles 32 upon which the supporting wheels 33 Patented Dec.17, 1912.

and 18 so that the frame will be supported are mounted. U-shaped bars 34 are connected with the couplin 29 and together with the bars 27 and 28 grma cradle in which the body portion is'mounted. Standards 35 are mounted upon the bars 17 and 18 and' have their upper endsconverging and connected with the bearing 38.

A'length of piping 37 extends across the bars 17 and 18 and has its outer end portion 38 curved to form a su port for the main sus nding wings of t e fl in machine. Th wings are braced by meiins of the upper and lower guy wires 39 and 40 which race the forward ends of the wings so that it will be prevented from having'any vertical movement. The wings are braced intermediatetheir length by the braces '41. and.

the rear portions 42 ofthe wings are unsupported by any rear portions 0 .t e wings flexible so that they may be tilted in order to assist in guidin the machine. A frame 20 is covered by a abric 43 so that a supporting plane for;

the rear portion of the machine will be provided, thus assisting in supporting the machine while in flight.

A rear guiding plane which comprises two 17 and 18 by'means of the pivot ears 46 and 1s normally. held in a horizontal position by the springs 47 which are connected to the angular ends 19 of the bars 17 and .18. A

' wires thus leaving the.

sections 44 and 45 is connected with "the bars forward guiding plane, which comprises the upper and lower plates 48 and 49 connected by the supports 50 is pivotally mounted upon the bar 51 which connects the forward ends of the. bars 17 and 18. This forward guiding plane isoperated by a mechanism which will be hereinafter described, so that it may be tilted either forwardly or rearwardly in order tovertically guide the machine. A pivot bar 52 is carried by the coupling 22 which connects the bars 17 and 18 with the upwardly inclined ends 13 of the bars 10 and 11, and is braced by means of the upper and lower braces 53. 'The rudder 54 is mounted between two plates 55 which are mounted upon the bar 52, the plates and rudder being turned by a mechanism which will be described hereinafter so that the machine may be guided horizontally.

The body portion of the machine is mounted in the cradle and comprises the cylindrical central portion 56 and the tapered The block 64 is connected with the rear cross bar 63 by means of the bar 65, the purpose of which will be brought out hereinafter. A vertical shaft, comprising upper and lower sections 66 and 67, is mounted in the,

frame in the body portion with the lower section positioned in the bearing 68, and the upper section passing through the block 64. The upper section 67 passes through the body portion and has its upper end journaled in the bearing 36, and carries the propeller blade 69 upon its upper end. A beveled gear 70 is rigidly mounted upon the lower portion 66 and is provided with a clutch 71 upon its upper portion. A clutch collar 7 2 is slidably mounted upon the lower end of the upper section 67 and is connected with the upper section bymeans of a key fitting into the slot 73 so that when the collar 72 is brought into engagement with the clutch 71, by means of the operating lever 74, the upper section and propeller blade 69 will be caused to rotate. A motor 75, which may be of any type desired, but which is preferably of the internal combustion type, is mounted in the forward end of the body portion and is provided with the two engine shafts 76 and 77, the shaft 76 assing through the forward end of the b0 y portion carrying the propeller blade 78. The engine shaft 77 is shorterthan the shaft 76 and extends into the frame and carries a beveled gear 79 which meshes with the beveled gear 70., A propeller shaft 80 passes through the body portion beneath the operators seat and out through the rear end of the body portion, and carries the propeller blade 81. The inner end of the propeller shaft 80 carries a beveled gear 82, which meshes with the beveled gear 70 so that when the'engine is in-motion the propeller 1 81 will be rotated] It should be noted that the beveled gear 70 causes the shaft 80 to planes 38.

ism that the propeller 69 may be rotated when it is desired to elevate the machine, and may be cut out when the desired height has been reached.

A lever 83 is pivotally mounted upon the bar and has cables 84 and 85 connected with its outer ends. The cables are carried forward along the frame and along the pulleys 86 mounted upon the forward portions 16 of the frame up to the forward guiding plane where they are connected to the forward and rear portions of the lower plate 49. By turning the lever 83 upon its pivot the cables 84 and 85 will be moved 'to either tilt or depress the forward edge of the forward guiding plane so that the machine will be guided.

A short shaft 87 is mounted in the journal 88 and has an operating lever 89 rigidly mounted upon one end and a short arm 90 secured to its opposite end. A cable 91 is secured to the arm 90 and is carried rearwardly through an opening 92 in the body portion, around a ulley 93 secured to the cradle and up to tile guiding plane which is mounted to the rear of the supporting By moving the lever 89 forwardly the cable draws its guiding plane downwardly against the tension of the s rings 47 so that the rear portion of the ying machine will be elevated so that a. quick descent may be made. When this plane is in a normal position it forms an additional supporting surface for the machine.

A shaft 94 is mounted in the bearings 95 and has one end passing through a rack 96 which is securedto one of the bars 61. A lever 97 is secured to the end of the shaft 94 and cables 98 and 99 are secured to the lever 97 above and below the shaft 94 so that when the lever is moved the cables will be drawnin opposite directions. Similar cables 100 and 101 are secured to the bar 102 which is mounted upon the opposite end of the shaft 94. The cables 98 and 101 pass through openings in the rear portion of the body portionand are connected with the lower faces of the rear portions of the supporting wings 38, and the cables 99 and 100 are carried forwardly over the pulleys 103 up over the pulleys 104 and down to the rear portions of the supporting wings where they a.-e secured above the cables 98 and 101. it will therefore be seen that when the lever 97 is rocked the rear portions of the supporting wings will be oppositely warped, thus permitting the flying machine to be more readily turned.

The shaft 105 is rotatably mounted be tween the bearing plate 106 and the block 107 and carries the upper gear plate 108, and the lower pulley wheel 109. A cable 110 passes around the pulley wheel 10.9 around the pulley wheels 111 and 112 out of the body portion, and is led along the sides of the rear supporting plane 43 over the pulley wheels 113 and has its ends se cured to the rudder 5 1. A shaft 114 is mounted in the bearing 115' and carries a beveled gear 116 which meshes with the gear plate 108 and alsocarries a wheel 117. By turning the wheel 117, the gear 116 turns the gear plate 108 and shaft 105 so thatthe cable 110 is moved to turn the rudder upon its pivot to permit a horizontal guiding of the flying machine.

From the foregoing description, it will .be seen that when using this machine the engine is started and this rotates the propellers 78 and 81. The propellers create a rearwardly extending current of air which has a tendency to sup ort the machinein the air. After the engine has started the clutch collar 72 is brought into connection with the clutch 71, and this causes the propeller 69 to rotate so that the machine is raised in the air. The guiding planes are so set as toz-assist the machine in rising from the ground. After .the machine has reached the desired height the lever 7 4: is moved to bring the collar 72 out of engagement with the clutch 71 so that the propeller 69 does not rotate, although the propellers78 and 81 continue to turn thus causing the machine to move forwardly. If it is desired todescend or to rise higher, the guiding planes 4 8 and 4A are moved to the proper positions and the machine will be vertically adjusted or guided in accordance with the manner in which the guiding planes are moved. By

turning the rudder 54, the machine may be guided horizontally, the rear portions of the supporting wings 38 being warped to as sist the machine in making turns.

What is claimed is 1. A frame comprising upper bars, lowerbars, a-cradle carried by said upper and lower bars, a body portion mounted in said cradle, supporting planes carried by said frame, guiding planes carried by said frame, propelling means carriedby said body por-' tion, and controlling meansfor said guiding planes carried by said frame.

2. Ina flying machine, a frame comprising upper bars, lower bars, said bars having upwardly inclined forward end portions,'-vertic. l bars connecting the forward ends-of said upper and lower bars, a sup-- porting frame connected with the rear ends of, said upper bars, said lower bars having upwardly inclined rear end portions connected with said supporting frame, a cradle carried by said first-mentioned frame, a bodyrportion mounted in said cradle, propelling means carried by said body portion,

supporting planes carried by said first-mentioned frame, guiding-planes carried by said firstmentioned frame, and controlling means for said planes mounted in said body portion.

3. In a flying machine, a frame comprising upper bars, lower bars, vertical .bars connecting the forward ends of said upper andlower bars, a substantially rectangular frame carried by the rear ends of said upper bars,rear end portions of said lower bars being upwardly inclined and connected with said rectangular frame, inclined bars carried by said upper bars, a bearing connecting the upper ends of said inclined bars, a

body portion mounted in said frame, propellers carried by said body portion, the

shaft of one of said propellers passing through said bearing, supporting planes carried by said frame, and guiding planes carried by said frame, and controlling means for saidguiding planes carried by said body portion.

4. In a flying machine, a frame comprising upper bars, lower bars connected with said upper bars, a cradle comprising vertical bars extending from said lower bars, longitudinally extending bars connecting said vertical bars, transversely extending curved bars connecting said vertical bars, U-shaped bars connected with said verticalbars and extending longitudinally, of said frame, depending bars carried by said upper bars and having their. lower ends connected with said vertical bars, a body portion mounted in said cradle, supporting planes carried by said frame, guiding planes carried by said frame, propelling means carried by said body portion, and controlling means for said guiding planes carried by said body portion; 5. In a flying machine, a frame comprising upper bars, having angular rear end portions, lower bars, a bearing connecting the forward ends of said lower bars, vertical bars connecting the forward ends of said upper bars with said bearing, bracing bars connecting the angular ends of said upper bars with said lower bars, asubstantially rectangular frame carried by the angular ends of said .upper bars, the rear end portions of said lower bars being upwardly inclined and connected with said rectangular frame, a body portion carried by said frame and having its forward end passing through said bearing, inclined bars carried by said upper bars, a bearing con- 'necting the upper ends of said inclined bars, propellers carried by said body portion, the shaft of one of said propellers passing through said upper bearing, supporting said lower cables being connected with the planes carried by said frame, guiding planes carried. by said frame, and operating means for said planes carried by said body port-ion.

, 6. In a flying machine, a frame, a.body portion carried by said frame, supporting wings extending to each side of said frame, said wings having flexible rear, end portions, a pivotally mounted supporting and 1 guidingplane carried by saidframe to the rear of said wings, a supporting plane carried by said frame to the rear of said piv otally mounted plane, means carried by said body portion for tilting said pivotally mounted plane and the rear portions of said wings, a horizontal rudder mounted upon the forward end of said frame, a vertical rudder mounted upon the rear end of said frame, means carried by said body portion for operating said rudders and propelling means carried by said body portion.

7. In a flying machine, a frame, a body portion carried by said frame, bars eat-ending above said frame, means connecting the upper ends of said bars, supporting wings extending to each side ofsaid frame, guy

ropes secured to said upper bars and having theirlower ends connected to the forward portions of said wings, lower guy ropes secured to the forward portions of said wings and connected with the lower portions of said frame, the rear portions of said wings being flexible, a pivotally mounted supporting and guiding plane connected witlr said 5 frame to the rear of said wings, a stationary supporting plane carried by the rear portion of said frame, vertical and horizontal rudders carried by said frame, means carried by said body portion for operating said rudders and planes,-and propelling means carried by said body portion.

8. In aflying machine, a frame, a body portion carried by said frame, supporting wings carried by said frame, said wings being provided with flexible rear portions, a standard extending above said frame, cables connected with the upper and lower faces ofthe rear portions of said wings, said upper cables extending to the upper portion 60 of said standard and passing over the pulleys carried by said standards, said upper cables extending from said'standard into said body portion, a rocker shaft mounted in said bodyportion, an arm rigidly mounted upon one end of 'said rocker shaft, an operating lever rigidly mounted upon the opposite end portion of said rocker shaft, one of said upper cables being connected with the upper portion of said lever and the other of said upper cables being connected with the lower portion of said arm, said lower cables entering said body portion through openings formed therein, one of said lower cables being connected with the lower portion of said lever and the other of upper portion of said arm, and propelling means carried by said body portion.

9. In a flying machine, a frame, a body portion mounted in said frame, supporting wings carried by said frame, means in said body portion for tilting the rear portions of said wings in opposite directions, a supporting and guiding plane pivotally mou n t-e,d upon said frame to the rear of said ings, springs connected with said frame and'ij sa'id' pivotally mounted plane, a rocker mounted in said. body portion, an arm? ried by said rocker shaft, a line connected with said arm and. passing out of said body portion and having its outer end connected with said pivotally mounted plane, a lever mounted upon said rocker shaft for turning the same'to draw said line and move said pivotally mounted plane against the tension of said springs, and propelling means carried by said body portion.

1.0. In a flying machine, a frame, supporting planes carried by said frame, a body portion mounted in said frame, a horizontal rudder at the forward end of said frame,

said rudder comprising an upper plane a lower plane, bars holding said planes in spaced relation, ajframe mounted in said body portion, a lever pivotally mounted upon the frame in said body portion, cables connected to theupper and lower sides of. said rudder and extending along said firstmentioned frame into said body portion and having their inner ends connected. to opposite ends of said lever whereby a movement of said lever will tilt said rudder, a vertical rudder at the rear of said firstment-ioned frame, means mounted upon said innerframe for operating said rear rudder, and propelling means carried by said body portion.

11; In a flying machine, a frame, a body portion mounted in said frame, supporting planes carried by said frame, a rudder at the forward end of said frame, a frame mounted in said body portion, means carried by said last mentioned frame for moving said forward rudder, a rudder at the rear of said first-mentioned frame, a vertical shaft rotatably connected with said inner frame, a gear plate at the upper end of said shaft, a pulley wheel at the lower end of said shaft, a second shaft rotatably connected with said inner frame, a gear wheel carried by said second shaft "and meshin with said gear plate, an operating whee carried by said second shaft for rotating the same, and a cable passing around said pulley wheel and carried out of said body portion along said first-mentioned frame and hav: ing its ends secured to opposite sides of. said rear rudder whereby the turning of said operating wheel'will rotate said vertical shaft and pulley wheel to turn said rear rudder, and propelling means carried zontal rudder at the forward end of saidouter frame, a vertical rudder at the rear end of said outer frame, an inner frame mounted in said body ortion, a lever pivotally mounted upon said inner frame, cables secured to opposite ends of said lever, and

passing out 0 said body portionalong said outer frame and having their outer ends connected with the forward and rear-sides of said forward rudder whereby the turning of said lever will tilt said forward rudder, a shaft passing through said inner frame, an arm secured to said shaft,-a cable secured to said arm and passing out of said body portion and having its outer end connected with said pivotally mounted plane, a lever mounted upon said shaft and adapted to draw saidline and movesaid'pivotally mounted plane, means for returning said pivotally mounted plane to its normal position, a rackmounted upon said innerframe,

a second shaft mounted upon said inner. frame and passing through said rack, a

lever secured upon one end of said second shaft, an arm secured upon'the opposite end of said second shaft, cables secured to the upper and lower faces of the rear portions of said supporting wings, said upper cables entering said body portion and secured to the upper portion of said last-mentioned lever and the lower portion of said lastmentionedarm, said lower cables entering saidbody portion and secured to the lower portion of said last-mentioned leverand the upper portion of said last mentioned arm, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a gear plate at the upper end of said vertical shaft, a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted upon said inner .frame, a gear carried by said horizontal shaft and meshing with said gear plate whereby the turning of said horizontal shaft will rotate said gear plate, an operating wheel mounted upon said horizontal shaft, a pulley wheel mounted upon the lower end of said vertical shaft, a cable passing around said pulley wheel out of said body portion along said frame and having its ends secured upon opposite sides of said rear rudder, and propelling means carried by said body'portion.

13.. In a flying machine, a frame comprisng upper bars, lower bars, bars connecting the forward ends of said upper and .lower bars, said lower bars having their rear end portions connected with said upper bars, a cradle carried by said frame, a body portion mounted in said cradle, propelling means carried by said body portion, supporting planes carried by said frame, guiding planes carried by said frame, and propelling means for said planes.

14. In a flying machine a frame comprising upper bars, lower bars, bars connecting the forward ends of said upper and lower bars, the rear ends of said lower bars being connected with said upper bars, a bearing, bars holding said bearing above said upper bars, a body portion mounted in said frame, propellers carried by said body portion, the shaft of one of said propellers passing through said hearing, suppor'ting planes carriedby said frame, guiding planes carried by said planes, and controlling means for said guiding planes.

15. In a flying machine a frame comprising upper bars, lower bars, a bearing connecting the forward ends of said lower bars, bars connecting the forward ends of said upper bars with sa-idbearing, bracing bars connecting said upper bars with said lower bars, a substantially rectangular frame car ried by the rear ends of said upper bars, the rear end portion of said lower bars being connected with said rectangular frame, a body port-ion carried by said first-mentioned frame and having its forward end passing through said bearing, propellers carried by said body portion, supporting planes carried by said first-mentioned frame, guiding planes carried by said frame, and operating means for said planes.

16. In a flying machine, a frame, a body portion carried by said frame, supporting wings extending to eachside of said frame,

said wings having flexible rear end portions, a supporting and guiding plane carried by said frame to the rear of said wings, 110 a stationary supporting plane carried by said frame to the rear. of said supporting and guiding plane, means carried-by said body portion for operating said supporting and guiding plane, means for tilting the rear portions of said wings, rudders carried by said frame, means carried by said bodyportion for operating said rudders,-and pro-' polling means carried by said body portion.

17. In a flying machine, a frame, a body portion carried by said frame, barsextending above said frame, means connecting the upper ends of said bars, supporting wings extending to each side of said frame, guy ropes secured to said upper bars and having their lower. ends connected to the forward I portions of said wings, lower guy ropes se cured ,to the forward portions of said wings and connected with the lower portions of said frame, the rear portions of said wings said frame to the rear of said wings, springs connected with said frame and said pivotally mounted plane, a rocker shaft mounted in said body portion, an arm carried by said rocker shaft, means connecting said arm with said pivotally mounted plane whereby the rotation of said rocker shaft will draw said pivotally mounted plane against the tension of said springs, and propelling means carried by said body portion.

19. In a flying machine, a frame, a body.

portion carried by said frame, supporting planes carried'by said frame, a rudder at the forward end of said frame, means for moving said forward rudder, a rudder at the rear of said frame, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said body portion, a gear plate at one end of said shaft, a pulley wheel at the other end of said shaft, a second shaft rotatably mounted in said body portion, a gear Wheel carried by said second shaft and meshing with said gear plate, an operating Wheel carried by said second mentioned shaft for rotating the same, a cable passing around said pulley Wheel, flexible means passing around said pulley wheel and carried out of said body portion and having its ends secured to opposite sides of said rear rudder whereby the turning of said operating wheel will rotate said vertical shaft and pulley wheel to turn said rear rudder, and propelling means carried by said body portion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SMITH. Witnesses:

W. A. S'roRK, F. P. Sonnononn. 

